Buffalo Chicken Pasta – Creamy & Spicy Easy Dinner

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 lb; ½ cup blue cheese dressing (can substitute ranch); ½ cup yellow onion, diced; 1 stick celery, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained (1 can); 4 cups chicken broth; ½ cup buffalo sauce; 1 lb penne pasta; 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed; 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded; 2 tablespoons butter, divided (use 1 tablespoon for sauté, 2 tablespoons cold butter optional); 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

If you're craving something creamy with a kick, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe is the perfect cozy dinner to whip up. Trust me, it's a total crowd-pleaser that I’ve made countless times on chilly weeknights when comfort food calls.

This image shows a white pan filled with creamy pasta. The pasta is penne, soft and pale yellow, mixed with pieces of light beige chicken and small bits of red tomato. The creamy sauce is light orange and thick, covering the pasta and other ingredients smoothly. There are tiny green pieces of chopped herbs sprinkled on top, adding a touch of fresh color to the dish. The pan is placed on a black marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this recipe has saved an evening. It’s quick, comforting, and just has that perfect balance of tangy buffalo heat and creamy cheesy goodness that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Ultimate Comfort Food: Creamy, cheesy, with that irresistible buffalo chicken spice—pure deliciousness in every bite.
One-Pan Wonder: You make it mostly in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze—especially when you’re tired after a long day.
Customizable Heat Level: Whether you like it mild or blazing, you can adjust the buffalo sauce and pepper flakes to your taste.
Leftover Magic: It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or family dinners.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe relies on simple, flavorful ingredients that blend beautifully—creamy cheese melts into the pasta while buffalo sauce brings that signature zesty punch.

Flat lay of a large raw boneless skinless chicken breast, a small mound of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a small mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, softened cream cheese cut into cubes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with orange-red buffalo sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of blue cheese dressing, a small white ceramic bowl of diced yellow onion, a few stalks of fresh celery diced, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of undrained diced tomatoes with juice, a small white ceramic bowl of clear golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl with two tablespoons of pale yellow butter, a pinch of bright red pepper flakes on a white ceramic spoon, and a handful of dry uncooked penne pasta, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken Breast: Using a boneless skinless chicken breast keeps things lean but tender when boiled gently, and shredding it ensures every bite is coated with flavor.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Adds tang and creaminess, and if blue cheese isn’t your thing, ranch works perfectly too.
Butter: We use it to sauté veggies and finish off the sauce for a silky texture.
Yellow Onion & Celery: Build a mild savory base that balances the spicy buffalo sauce.
Garlic: Bringing that classic aromatic depth with just a hint of bite.
Diced Tomatoes (undrained): Add moisture and subtle sweetness to balance the heat.
Chicken Broth: The cooking liquid for the pasta, tasting every bit like homemade comfort.
Penne Pasta: Its tube shape perfectly grabs onto the creamy sauce.
Buffalo Sauce: The star ingredient for rich, tangy heat.
Cream Cheese: Softens the sauce to unbeatable creaminess—room temperature is key here.
Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: Mixed cheeses give you that melty, gooey texture plus a sharp zing.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who love an extra little kick.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. I love tweaking it based on what I have or who I’m feeding — you can easily adjust spice levels, swap cheese, or add extra veggies to make it your own.

Variation: When I want a milder plate, I swap the blue cheese dressing for ranch and use less buffalo sauce—still delicious but friendlier to sensitive palates.
Vegetarian Twist: Try replacing chicken with sautéed mushrooms or tofu, then crank the buffalo sauce for flavor.
Extra Veggies: Tossing in spinach or roasted bell peppers adds color and a fresh bite without overpowering the creamy sauce.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free penne; just watch the cooking time carefully so it doesn’t get mushy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe

A white plate holds a serving of penne pasta covered in a creamy orange sauce. The pasta pieces are coated evenly, glistening with the smooth sauce that looks thick and rich. Scattered among the pasta are small pieces of red tomato and bits of green herbs adding color contrast. The texture of the sauce is soft and slightly glossy, enveloping the ridged pasta shapes. A silver fork rests on the edge of the plate, angled slightly upward. The background is a black marbled surface that contrasts sharply with the white plate and the warm colors of the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gently Boil & Shred the Chicken

Fill a pot with water and place your chicken breast inside. Bring it just to a gentle boil—don’t let it roar or you’ll get tough chicken! I usually add a couple of chicken bouillon cubes to the water for some extra savory flavor. After about 15 minutes, check that it’s cooked through, remove, and shred with two forks. Toss it with blue cheese dressing right away and set it aside; this little step boosts the flavor before it even hits the pasta.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics & Start the Pasta

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery and cook until soft—around 5 minutes. Add garlic for the last minute so it doesn’t burn but gets fragrant. Then, stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice and chicken broth. Bring that to a boil, then submerge your penne pasta. Give it a stir to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Cook Pasta & Finish the Sauce

Cover and let the pasta cook for 10–13 minutes, checking for al dente doneness—the box timing is your friend here. Keep the lid on low heat, and every few minutes, use a spatula to gently lift and stir pasta from the bottom to avoid sticking. Once cooked, lower heat to low and stir in buffalo sauce, softened cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella. It might look thin at first, but hang tight—it thickens up beautifully.

Step 4: Combine & Serve

Stir in your shredded chicken and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like extra heat. For an ultra-smooth, glossy finish, I like to fold in a couple tablespoons of cold butter at the very end—chefs call this "monter au beurre". This step is optional but really steps up the sauce game.

Top Tip

After making this recipe a bunch of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that help keep it creamy and perfect every time. Buffalo chicken pasta can be tricky if you rush the cheese melting or overcook the pasta, so these tips will save you from common pitfalls.

Soft Cheese is Key: Always bring cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella to room temperature before adding—they melt smoother and blend better.
Low & Slow Cheese Melting: Keep the heat low when adding cheese to avoid grainy sauce texture from overheating dairy.
Gentle Boil Chicken: This keeps chicken tender for shredding and stops it from drying out.
Butter Finish: Adding cold butter at the end gives a silky finish and rounds out the flavors beautifully.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe

A white bowl filled with reddish-orange broth that looks smooth and slightly thick, with small bits of chopped onions and other vegetables floating. On top of the broth, there is a pile of dry, uncooked penne pasta arranged in the center. The bowl is set on a black marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped green onions or chives on top for a pop of color and mild sharpness. A handful of extra shredded cheddar can’t hurt, and if you really want the full buffalo vibe, crumble some blue cheese over the finished dish.

Side Dishes

This pasta pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or garlic bread to soak up all that luscious sauce. For something heartier, roasted veggies like broccoli or Brussels sprouts bring balance.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served this in individual ramekins for small gatherings to make everyone feel special, topped with a drizzle of ranch or a dash of extra buffalo sauce for visual appeal and flavor. It’s also a fun dish to bring for potlucks where it can stay warm in a slow cooker.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I pop leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days. The pasta soaks up the sauce as it cools, which actually makes for a tastier next-day meal if you don’t mind the thicker texture.

Freezing

ThisBuffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe freezes okay, but I recommend freezing before adding cheese for best reheat results. You can freeze cooked shredded chicken and sauce base separately, then combine and add cheese fresh when reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Adding a splash of chicken broth or milk helps loosen the sauce if it’s thickened too much. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve creaminess and avoid separation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using leftover or rotisserie chicken can speed up the process—just shred it and toss with the blue cheese dressing before adding it to the pasta. You might want to reduce the cooking broth slightly since the chicken won’t cook in the pasta liquid.

What’s the best way to prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy?

The key is to keep the heat low when melting the cheese and cream cheese into the pasta. Also, soften your cream cheese before adding it. High heat can cause dairy to separate and become gritty, so patience is your best friend here.

Can I make this Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe dairy-free?

It’s tricky because the creamy cheese sauce is core to the dish’s rich flavor. However, you can experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and cheddar alternatives and use a dairy-free ranch or blue cheese dressing. Expect a different texture and flavor but still tasty and satisfying.

What wine pairs well with Buffalo Chicken Pasta?

Since this pasta is creamy and spicy, I recommend a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light, fruity rosé. These will cut through the richness and refresh your palate between bites. Avoid heavy reds that might overpower the dish.

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Creamy Cheese Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to meals because it’s just so darn comforting with the perfect spicy-cheesy combo. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, it’s worth trying out. I’d recommend it to any friend who needs quick comfort food with a little flair—you’ll love it, I promise!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way